Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio back in hospital with blood clot

AP File PhotoMichigan State football coach Mark Dantonio had returned to light duty this week after suffering a heart attack following the Sept. 18 game against Notre Dame.

EAST LANSING -- Michigan State football coach Mark Dantonio will miss a second consecutive game, this time because a post-operative examination revealed he had a blood clot in his leg.

Dantonio, who suffered a heart attack following the Spartans' Sept. 18 game against Notre Dame, had returned to light duty this week and said he would watch today's game against Wisconsin from the press box.

Michigan State sports information said this morning Dantonio was admitted to Sparrow Hospital in Lansing on Thursday after an examination revealed the blood clot. He remains in the hospital and a release date has not been determined.

Dantonio will watch the 3:30 p.m. game against Wisconsin on television at the hospital, the sports information office said in a news release.

"Coach Dantonio is doing well and his prognosis is excellent," MSU athletic director Mark Hollis said in the release. "He was admitted to Sparrow Hospital for monitoring and treatment. The cardiologist told Coach D that it was in his best interest to sit out another game and to stay off his feet."

Dr. Chris D'Haem, who performed a stent procedure after the heart attack, said in the news release that blood clots are not uncommon following a number of surginal procedures and can occur after a cardiac catheterization procedure, which was the case with Dantonio.

Hollis said Dantonio remains in charge of the football program.

"He was able to attend meetings and practices earlier this week, and since his hospitalization, he has been in regular contact with his coaching staff as well as the team captains and other team leaders.

"Coach D has the utmost confidence in his coordinators, Don Treadwell and Pat Narduzzi, and his entire coaching staff. He expects it to be business as usual this afternoon against Wisconsin."